Ex-enforcer, Cup winner Chris Simon dies at 52

Former NHL grinder and Stanley Cup champion Chris Simon died at the age of 52, the league confirmed Tuesday.

Simon played 15 seasons in the NHL through 2007-08, racking up 1,824 penalty minutes, 144 goals, and 161 assists over 782 games with seven organizations.

"The family strongly believes and witnessed firsthand that Chris struggled immensely from CTE, which unfortunately resulted in his death," his former agent, Paul Theofanous, said in a statement on behalf of Simon's family, per ESPN.

"We are grieving with the loss of our son, brother, father, partner, teammate, and friend. The entire Wawa community is sharing in our grief. We will not be releasing any further details at this time and ask for privacy during this very difficult time. We appreciate everyone who shares in our tragic loss."

Simon spent his first three seasons with the Quebec Nordiques and his fourth with the Cup-winning Colorado Avalanche after Quebec moved there in 1995-96. He got back to the championship round two years later with the Washington Capitals, scoring a goal in Game 2 of a series they ultimately lost to the Detroit Red Wings.

The 6-foot-3, 233-pound winger led Washington with a career-high 29 goals across 75 games in 1999-2000 and played parts of seven campaigns in America's capital. He was a key contributor in a playoff run with the Calgary Flames in 2004, producing five tallies and two assists in 16 playoff games during their run to the Cup Final, which they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

While he had his moments on offense, Simon was also known for his on-ice transgressions. He was suspended eight times, and two of those were among the longest bans in NHL history. Simon sat 25 games (the rest of the regular season and playoffs) as a member of the New York Islanders for cross-checking Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg in the face in March 2007.

Nine months later, the league suspended him 30 games for stomping on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jarkko Ruutu's leg.

The Philadelphia Flyers drafted Simon with the 25th overall pick in 1990. However, he never suited up for the Flyers, with the club trading him to the Nordiques as part of the Eric Lindros blockbuster deal in 1992.

The Avalanche were among the teams that offered condolences Tuesday.

Simon also suited up for the Chicago Blackhawks, the Rangers, and the Minnesota Wild, with whom he finished his NHL career. He played five seasons in the KHL before retiring following the 2012-13 campaign.